Proyecto Mono Tocón

To conserve San Martin titi monkeys and other primates in Peru

The San Martin titi monkey (Callicebus
oenanthe) is a Peruvian endemic primate species. Until 2002 it was known
from only six museum specimens, originating from the area around Moyobamba,
Department of San Martin, Peru. Considering the degradation of the forests in
this region, it was assumed that C. oenanthe
was extremely rare, and possibly even critically endangered.

Until 2007, no conservation measures were taken, probably due to the
lack of information on the distribution and conservation status of the species.
Therefore, in 2007 Le Conservatoire
pour la Protection des Primates, the conservation association of La Vallée des
Singes Primate Park in France, initiated the Proyecto Mono Tocón, a project for
the conservation of the San Martin titi monkey (locally known as mono tocón)
and its habitat. As a first step, extensive research was started on the
distribution and taxonomy of C. oenanthe.
The study revealed that the distribution of the species was larger than
expected, but due to an extremely high rate of deforestation (up to 80% in some
provinces) the species is in immediate danger of extinction. The results of the
studies were used by IUCN to upgrade its status on the Red List from Vulnerable
to Critically Endangered.

In 2009 the local Peruvian NGO Proyecto Mono Tocón was founded. The
project employs fulltime four young Peruvian biologists. The enthusiastic team
is supported by six students who run their theses with the project, and an
active group of more than 15 volunteers, mostly students from the local
university.

In order to take effective conservation measures, research on the
distribution of the San Martin titi monkey and the threats to its survival
continues. With the help of GIS
habitat studies and field research, we intend to determine which areas are the
most suitable for titi monkey conservation. Additional research is conducted on
other primates, including a new population of bald uacaris (Cacajao sp.) that our team discovered in
the mountains of San Martin. Our team supports other primate projects and bird
surveys.

Our active education team has developed an interactive educational
programme for local schools around areas with titi monkeys. In the city of
Moyobamba a botanical garden is being transformed into an educational centre,
in which school groups and tourists can learn about the nature of San Martin.
Nature clubs for children have been founded. The members are active for our
educational department, and help with the cleaning of the streets and public
areas of the cities. As there is little action against the illegal animal trade,
workshops on the importance of nature protection and law enforcement are given
to local authorities. Groups of guides working for ecotourism projects have
received environmental education. A comic book about nature conservation was
created and distributed in large parts of San Martin, including by other
projects.

The conservation activities range from membership in nature reserve
management committees to the creation of new protected areas. Local (native)
communities are supported, mainly technically, in their strive for the creation
of nature reserves on their territories. The project no longer focuses only on
the San Martin titi monkey, but on all primates of the region and their
habitat.

The project is coordinated by Le Conservatoire pour la Protection des
Primates and the Spanish NGC Sugkamat. The project is adopted by the Callicebus cupreus EEP, and is supported
by a large number of European zoos.